Game Thread #146: Brewers (70-75) at Cubs (75-69)
by Kyle Lobner on Sep 17, 2009 12:15 PM CDT
in Game Threads
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PrintMilwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs, Sep 17, 2009 1:20 PM CDT
Current Series
Cubs lead the series 2-1
| Mon 09/14 | WP: Ryan Dempster (10 - 8) SV: Carlos Marmol LP: Jeff Suppan (6 - 10) |
0 - 2 loss |
| Tue 09/15 | WP: Aaron Heilman (3 - 3) LP: Yovani Gallardo (12 - 12) |
7 - 13 loss |
| Wed 09/16 | WP: Braden Looper (13 - 6) LP: Rich Harden (9 - 9) |
9 - 5 win |
|
Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Sep 17, 2009, 1:20 PM CDT Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. |
||
Finally, the Brewers are almost done with the Cubs. After today's contest, the 2009 Brewers will say goodbye to their rivals from Chicago...until Monday, when they'll visit Miller Park.
Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on today's game!
You probably could have gotten pretty good odds before the season by betting on Randy Wells (10-8, 2.96) to win the NL Rookie of the Year, but he'll likely be one of the leading candidates when the vote is announced. He got knocked around a bit his last time out, allowing five runs (three earned) in 3.2 innings against the Reds, and is 1-3 in his last five starts, but his ERA is still under 3. He shut the Brewers out for five innings in his first major league start on May 8, but hasn't faced them since.
Dave Bush (4-7, 5.85), meanwhile, knows the Cubs all too well, having gone 1-7 with a 4.62 ERA against them in 14 appearances. With that said, he recorded a season high eleven strikeouts last time out, and held the D-Backs to one run on five hits. He's lowered his ERA over 60 points by allowing just three runs in his last 14 innings of work. He's faced the Cubs twice this season and picked up two no decisions, allowing five runs in 13.1 innings.
Fresh off a four hit night, Alcides Escobar gets his third straight start today, and he'll be joined in the lineup by Jody Gerut, Mike Rivera and Mat Gamel, making his first start since July 19: (h/t Adam McCalvy)
Felipe Lopez 2B
Jody Gerut RF
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Mike Cameron CF
Mat Gamel 3B
Mike Rivera C
Alcides Escobar SS
Dave Bush RHP
And in the bullpen today:
Todd Coffey pitched one inning (12 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Tuesday.
David Weathers pitched 1.2 innings (19 pitches) last night.
Mitch Stetter pitched .1 innings (19 pitches) last night.
Claudio Vargas pitched one inning (8 pitches) last night.
John Axford pitched one inning (30 pitches) on Tuesday.
Chris Smith pitched one inning (29 pitches) on Tuesday.
Carlos Villanueva pitched .2 innings (19 pitches) on Tuesday.
Trevor Hoffman last pitched on Sunday.
Josh Butler is in the bullpen but probably won't pitch, unless the team decides to start Yovani Gallardo on Sunday.
Mike Burns recently rejoined the team, and hasn't pitched since the end of the AAA season.
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First time at wrigley
Now I understand why so man cub fans come to miller park. I’m sorry cubbies your stadium makes me miss third world stadium, that’s saying something.
by SgtClueLs on Sep 17, 2009 12:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Show of hands:
When the season started, who thought Randy Wells would end up being the Cubs most dependable starter?
I just wish
Batters were afraid to be hit by him
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Little OT: I heard some of the local radio guys
Saying there was a riff between Braun and Macha. Was there something I missed, does anyone here know anything about that?
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
Might be referring to Macha giving Braun the day off on Monday.
Macha said it was because Braun’s shoulder was bothering him, which caught Braun off guard — he told reporters there was nothing wrong with his shoulder.
Ok. The way the radio guys made it sound was that it's been there the whole year (the riff)
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
...may have been, yeah, actually now that you mention it--yes!
haha, touche’.
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
Why would you be?
Teams score less than 2 runs with the bases loaded and no out about 40% of the time.
by rluzinski on Sep 17, 2009 2:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
And what percentage of the time have the 2009 Brewers done it?
Cause it certainly feels like more than 40%.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Just off the top of my head......
So, you know, don’t make fun of me too much if I’m totally wrong, but isn’t the run expectancy that Tangotiger did a while back for that situation like 2.4 runs????
I am definitely disappointed with 1 run in that spot.
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
Am I interpreting this wrong???
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
No, you're right
But so is he: 40 percent of situations produce one run or less. But some percentage of them likely produce 5 or more, which leads to an average of 2.4.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
I have no idea.
I do know that every year, it “seems like” the Brewers don’t score often enough after a leadoff double. I think fans just have a tough time with those kind of casual observations.
Hey, here’s a leadoff triple. If any team kind find a way not to score here, it will be the Crew! ;)
by rluzinski on Sep 17, 2009 2:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
We did put our fattest player on 3rd.
That was not optimal
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
So that's why we didn't score?
Stupid reason.
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
It is
Statistically speaking you should keep your fat guys from hitting triples — it’s called “Slo-pitch Paradox”
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
That was a prime opportunity for Prince to get the RBI record.
It’s a stubborn one, doesn’t want to fall.
Rock says he's never been to Wrigley as a spectator.
And he’s not missing anything.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
True
And, if positioned correctly, he could also have the opportunity to get crapped on by a pigeon.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Also true.
Or barfed on by a girl wearing a pink Cubs hat and a Sosa jersey.
(I could play this game all day.)
I've only been there once.
In most circumstances, once is more than enough, but it’s not enough for me to build a list of first hand experiences that would win this game.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
My experience at Wrigley-
FIrst 5 minutes=Wow….pretty awesome. Lots of history.
Rest of life= Wow what a dump. Can’t believe a major league team plays here.
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
Just don't threaten to kill him.
Because, of course, shoving a ball down someone’s throat wouldn’t inhibit breathing, or anything.
One more walk for a franchise record!
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Rubie, since you're hanging around, help me brainstorm on something
We’re only about a week and a half away from the sixth anniversary of Quevedo’s last appearance as a Brewer. How does one celebrate it?
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Embrace Gluttony
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
but in 02 I swear he was hitting 96. I loved him back then...
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
because of the physics, gravity and friction
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, I only have bacon.
I haven’t run a mile in years, I think I may have to do it on the 28th, just to prove I can.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
pitched in relief
1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Maybe it should be like a "Days of Christmas" thing ...
… and you should eat quantities of food stuffs that correspond to his numbers on that final, fateful day.
You know: a 1.33 lb hamburger, 2 omelettes, a 2 lb bag of Skittles, 1 jar of mayonaisse (ala carte, of course — just use a spoon), and 1 whole chicken for the homer.
by Rubie Q on Sep 17, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm open to some gluttony as part of the celebration.
But I’d rather not do something that might push my heart over the ledge.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Watching Rubie pitch...
Did more damage to your heart than gluttony ever would,
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Is it the jar of mayonnaise?
It’s the jar of mayonnaise, isn’t it?
OK, well, you’re the chef: find me a recipe (or make one up) that uses, say, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 cup of flour, and so on.
It’d have to be a dessert, though.
i'm leaning towards a mile run
With a stop at each quarter mile to eat a Krispy Kreme donut.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
It's so hot
Milk was a baaaad choice
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Chocolate Milk
Is actually more revitalizing to your body than Gatorade.
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Recipe
I’m paging through Thisiswhyyourefat.com as we speak.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Take something like Twinkees
and deep fry them
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
"See, Marge, I told you they could deep fry a shirt."
“I didn’t say they couldn’t. I said you shouldn’t.”
I bought a deep-fryer
and about once a month I get inspired to deep-fry something, like a PBJ, or ding dongs,
I think cooking is for dorks and people married to me — but I do like seeing how foods turn out fried.
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
we have a deep-fryer in the house
and we fry something about once a week, at least
"my goodness"
by BrewHaHeather on Sep 17, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
that's probably a sign..
I need to step up my game.
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
as you can probbly guess
my family is not exactly skinny
"my goodness"
by BrewHaHeather on Sep 17, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Mrs. Snow made me get rid of mine years ago.
I think the first several years of our relationship were spent with her appalled at the way I ate.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
We've all been there.
Hell, I subsisted on corn dogs for an entire year in school. The then-future Mrs. Q moves in? No more corn dogs.
Yep
When we first got married I was eating way too much salad, after my wife got to know me a bit better, she started using bacon grease as a condiment
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
...and wrap them in bacon.
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
NOW you're talking Ruben Quevedo's language.
Just add some whipped cream and sprinkle some ice cream jimmies on top, and we’re in business.
Isn't there a place in Milw.
Where you can buy like a 50 inch pizza — maybe the better idea is to order one of those bad boys and eat it during the game.
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
From Adam McCalvy's Twitter
Just told that Dave Bush won’t be available to reporters postgame. Leaving immediately to be w/ his wife, who is to be induced tomorrow a.m.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
How awesome would that be?
Unless it’s a girl.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
Or, if he did ...
he would have immediately gone into an 0-53 slump and blamed the granny for wrecking his swing.
How is this possible?
Jody Gerut now has one more grand slam in his career than Prince Fielder.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
What in the world?
Gerut?!
Wow.
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Kendall is the grittiest future manager ever
I shudder for the team that might end up under his guidance.
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Dave Bush, once again on the cusp of an ERA over 6.00.
I have a hunch: you might not want to show Jr. the game tape from the day before s/he was born.
You induced me right after you did this?
Taking Shallowness to New Depths...
by Fatter than Joey on Sep 17, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Way to go Chubbs!
Gotta love the belly flops
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Fielder's belly flop slide makes me laugh every time.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Courtesy of BB
“Gonna need a back hoe for that ditch!”
Sorry, I promise I’m not trying to stir up stuff just reporting the facts.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
This is the kind of analysis you'll only get from me, folks:
Fielder now needs a single, double and home run for the cycle.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Lead off triple wasted. I love 2009
"It may sound hollow, it may sound unrealistic, it may even sound stupid to some people. We still think we are in it," - Mark Attanasio
I found
the best Milton Bradley picture ever this morning.
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Wow. The game thread turned into the Radiohead "Just" video.
Everybody just stopped talking and laid down.
Freaky.
yes
But is he injured? Can a player just take himself out of the game?
"my goodness"
by BrewHaHeather on Sep 17, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no clue
and neither does Google apparently
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
If they're not contending for the wild card or anything like that, why not?
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
yeah, tripling is MLB workload from last year couldn't hurt.
He’s been awful for a money, yet is still used in pretty high-leverage situations… just seems weird to me.
If you need a lefty half of your multitasking platoon
Canada and Japan are tied in the ninth in World Cup play, and you can follow it via Gameday here.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Playing with international extra inning rules
Start the inning with whatever batter you want, with two men on. Brewer farmhand Jim Henderson has two outs with runners on 2nd and 3rd.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Got out of it
Headed to the bottom of 10.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Japan scored 1 in the top of the 11th, Canada scored 2 to win.
Team Canada lives to play another day. If the Netherlands can beat Mexico tonight, they’ll be in fourth place all alone.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Brewers pinch hit for Gamel with McGehee, then the Cubs switched pitchers.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
McGehee drilled
Bases loaded with RIvera up and two outs
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Umm no
They had Hart pinch hit for him a while back
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
What?
That must have happened while Gorman was puking on the carpet, because I would’ve pitched a fit if I’d seen that.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Not a GS
But that’ll do Mikey, that’ll do
You can say I'm a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.
CounsellWSMVP10!
Mike Rivera should play in nearly all situations.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
He's had a bad month and still leads Kendall by about 100 OPS points.
So yes.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Don't particularly care.
He’s a better hitter than Kendall. Are you seriously going to argue with that?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
No. It's fruitless to argue here.
Conclusion:
When Kendall is doing better than Rivera, Rivera should play.
When Rivera is doing better than Kendall, Rivera should play.
No, Macha made a promise and he's sticking to it.
Kendall: “Please start me every day. I’ll be your friend”
Macha: “Okay.”
You can cherry pick sample sizes if you want
But here’s 2009:
Kendall: .615 OPS
Rivera: .697 OPS
And 2008:
Kendall: .651 OPS
Rivera: .812 OPS
Kendall over two seasons as a Brewer: .635 OPS
Rivera over four seasons as a Brewer: .771 OPS
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Okay, what's your point.
My point was that over the last month, Kendall was less of an offensive liability than Rivera.
In the long run, as you’ve shown, Rivera’s probably the better option.
It’s interesting that as soon as he started playing more than once every blue moon, his offensive stats dipped…
Doesn’t matter, neither one of these guys are starting for the Brewers next year.
Which month are you referring to?
Over the last month, Kendall hasn’t been as awful as he normally is. But, since Rivera started playing more consistenly (since August 3), he’s hitting .250/.388/.450, plus the hit he just picked up. That’s not exactly anemic.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Ok, I'll give you that.
Kendall won over that sample size, which for Rivera was 29 PAs.
Problem is, Rivera wins pretty much every other split.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
This is true.
Definitely the better player in the long run (maybe, I’m still nervous about his stats with a dramatic increase in playing time, but, gotta give him the chance).
Just not a big fan of the whole “Player X can do no right” philosophy.
I'm not a fan of the Brewers having players who can do no right.
Kendall is having an above average run for him right now. And, even as hot as he’s been, his OPS over that stretch is under .700 and his season OPS is narrowly over .600.
He’s not a good baseball player. Other people should start in his place. I don’t dislike the guy. I just live in a world bounded by reality, where crappy players should play less than potential improvements.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Then they try someone else.
Kendall is a broken down car. There’s no reason to keep driving him.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
So does losing.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
actually, that gets cheap
usually who you replace them with are people who have been playing AAA, who demand a lower payscale than the crafty vets.
by PagsBrewCrew on Sep 17, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
geez...since gerut hit a GS today
so near the end of the season, I’ll bet he gets an offer to stick around.
He never had been on the DL before
So I’m sure that sitting out for that long through off his groove a little bit.
Your values is in disarray, prioritizin' horribly
Unhappy with the riches 'cause you're piss-poor morally
Ignorin' all prior advice and forewarnin'
And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren’t we?
Errr, threw
Your values is in disarray, prioritizin' horribly
Unhappy with the riches 'cause you're piss-poor morally
Ignorin' all prior advice and forewarnin'
And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren’t we?
It's better than being swept right?
Your values is in disarray, prioritizin' horribly
Unhappy with the riches 'cause you're piss-poor morally
Ignorin' all prior advice and forewarnin'
And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren’t we?
Untucking thread
is open.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 7:02 PM CST)
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